Take a glimpse of the £12m Formby mansion even some footballers can't afford

A £12m mansion deep in the heart of Formby is now months away from completion.

The eight bedroom Palladian style villa offers stunning views of the surrounding woodlands and dunes, which cascade across the Ravenmeols countryside down towards the beach.

The 25,000 sq ft house will showcase the world's first self supporting stone 320 degree stone staircase. The dream like structure spirals through three floors toward a domed roof lantern.

The house is set deep within a historic seven acre Firwwod estate, and is shrouded by dense woodland. A driveway loops around the leafy grounds, toward the front of the house.

Built from Portland stone, the stunning property cost £10m to build and would go on the market for around £12m.

Visiter.co.uk understand a Formby businessman behind the development will move into the house when it is complete.

The planning document reads: "It was decided that given the size of the site and its introspective nature there was a rare opportunity to explore the heritage of Palladianism that led to the neo-classical country villa tradition that developed in England in the late 18th Century

A meandering driveway will lead through the trees following the route of the original drive. Upon approaching the house the site opens up to provide a view of the front / east elevation.

The dominant feature of the house is a central stone four columned ionic portico with modillions, finials and pediment. The front door leads to a central hallway around which the internal spaces are arranged.

A cantilevered helical stair runs through all three floors culminating in a decorative domed roof lantern to bring light into the centre of the house. To either side of the stone portico the house is of rendered masonry construction with stone detailing incorporated into the eaves, band courses, plinth, balustrading and quoins. Sliding sash high quality uPVC windows of neoclassical Georgian proportions complete the overall aesthetic of a grand country villa.

Firwood off Alexandra Road, Formby

"The classical symmetry is continued with single storey wings to each end. Wings were a typical feature in traditional Palladian design, they tended to house agricultural functions, were detached, and of lower importance than the main house. However in keeping with the 18th Century English Neo Classical interpretation of Palladianism the wings are attached to, and of almost equal importance, to the main house.

This is consistent with the importance of the accommodation that has been condensed from the former basement. At first floor the northern and southern elevations of the main each have apsidal bays extending to the eaves and topped with roof terraces to two of the three top floor bedrooms. The attention to detailing is continued with the semicircular apse features having engaged stone columns and rendered intercolumniationelements break the line of the eaves adding interest and relief to the mass of the roof.

The rear / western elevation is defined by a large stone semi circular bay set back behind a Tuscan colonnade providing depth and layering to the elevation. At ground floor the dining room sits within this space with 180 degree views of the gardens. At first floor the loggia forms a panoramic balcony. This layering ensures both the dining room and master suite, with their generous windows, have solar shading from midday to sunset.

A small basement will accommodate services plant equipment. There will also be a circular room created by extending the main core of the house down. This room will house a library .

Firwood at Formby

In order to set the building within its grounds the driveway will loop round a formal water feature positioned in front of the portico. A formal lawn is proposed to the rear. This lawn will be semi-circular in shape taking advantage of an area currently devoid of trees as shown on the site plans. Other areas of scrub will be cleared around the building and ultimately a landscaping scheme will be developed to complement the development. Any felled trees will be replaced on a 2 for 1 basis and 3 additional trees will be planted as per Seftons requirements for new dwellings.

"Within the roof space a guest bedroom and two other bedroom suites are accommodated. Rooflights have been avoided in the pitch of the roof; as incompatible with the aesthetic of the design. However there are four roof lanterns on the flat area of the roof. Similarly dormer windows have been avoided in order to maintain, as far as possible, the impression of a 2 storey building.

To bring natural light into the roof space rooms the roof pitch is cut back to allow for large windows to light the generous rooms without protruding beyond the roof line. An additional benefit of this is the creation of a large roof terrace over the master suite and two smaller terraces as previously mentioned above the northern and southern apse bays. These three

A small basement will accommodate services plant equipment. There will also be a circular room created by extending the main core of the house down. This room will house a library . In order to set the building within its grounds the driveway will loop round a formal water feature positioned in front of the portico. A formal lawn is proposed to the rear. This lawn will be semi-circular in shape taking advantage of an area currently devoid of trees as shown on the site plans. Other areas of scrub will be cleared around the building and ultimately a landscaping scheme will be developed to complement the development.

"The end result is a well considered and appropriately sited neoclassical villa. The scale and aesthetic is entirely appropriate for the size and nature of this four acre site and represents only a modest increase in visible volume over the recently approved proposals."